Carmine's Restaurant & Bar - Ybor — Restaurant in Tampa

Carmine’s in Ybor boasts a beautiful location right on 7th Avenue, making it a prime spot for dining in the heart of Ybor City. I visited on a quiet Tuesday evening, which provided a peaceful dining experience. However, it's worth noting that on weekend nights, Ybor transforms into a bustling hub of club hoppers and partygoers, so be prepared to navigate through some foot traffic to get in.

The charm of Carmine’s hits you the moment you walk in, with its inviting ambiance and historic feel. However, my initial impression was slightly dampened when I noticed an appetizer plate at my booth that hadn’t been thoroughly washed, still bearing remnants of pasta sauce. I placed it at the edge of the table, and while the server took it away promptly, there was no apology or acknowledgment, which I found a bit unsettling. Later, I ordered a mojito, and halfway through, I discovered a random piece of food in the glass. I discreetly removed it and placed it in a glass of water at the edge of the booth. Again, the server took it away without comment but quickly brought me a fresh drink. The lack of attention to detail with the cleanliness and the absence of an apology from the server were disappointing.

Despite these hiccups, the quality of the food and drinks more than compensated. The Ybor Margarita and mojito were both delicious, with generous pours that perfectly complemented the vibrant atmosphere. I ended the night with a Cinnamon Toast Crunch shot, which was delightful and ranks as my second favorite in Tampa.

The highlight of my meal was the Grouper Piccata. Unlike the usual baked Chicken Piccata, this dish was floured and fried to perfection. The angel hair pasta that accompanied it was perfectly cooked, making every bite a delight. The portion was substantial, so much so that I couldn’t finish it at the table. However, it was so irresistible that I found myself reaching for it again at 1 AM, savoring the leftovers straight from the fridge.

In summary, Carmine’s in Ybor is a gem for anyone seeking delicious food and a vibrant dining experience. While the service and cleanliness could use some improvement, the incredible flavors and generous portions make it worth a visit. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Carmine’s offers a taste of Ybor’s rich culinary scene in a setting that’s as charming as it is historic. Just be prepared for a lively crowd if you decide to visit on a...

I thought yall closed an hour ago? Stop with the fake reviews trying to increase your reviews, this place is a joke *ignore the bot reviews from the idiots that work at this restaurant and read a real review before wasting your time and money 1st time I came here the food was delicious. 2nd time was the absolute worst. From the moment we walked through the door the service and vibe was horrendous. Not welcoming whatsoever. Waited a good 10 minutes just to be greeted by our server Paris, who was obviously high or drunk or both. It took another 20 minutes to get a pitcher of sangria that tasted like juice because they were out of the bottle of wine we requested. An hour into this sweet adventure, we get our appetizers and bread which have been sitting for days and was re-heated in the microwave. Appetizers were mediocre at best. The other waiter is walking around in a ball cap and basket ball shorts and the women are all in their pajamas. Are you an upscale restaurant , are you a dive bar? This place is confused. After deciding to end our dinning before wasting anymore time or money, we ask for the check and quickly our waitresses vibe changed even worse than it was initially. Get the bill, place the money down with a generous tip, as I am about to leave my table, Ms. Paris walks by and with her snarky attitude tells us “Thanks so much guys have a great holiday”. I’ve never snatched a tip up so quick in my life. I left a measly $3 tip on a $60 bill because the service, the energy, the environment, the drinks, the food… ALL of it was appalling. To top it all off, Paris literally runs outside of the restaurant again with her snarky self , “Thanks you guys have a great holiday”. Trust me, I will normally see any restaurant out to the end and always leave nice tip for my server. This...

I visited Carmine’s for the first time on a Saturday when my family were visiting from out of state. We ordered the fried green tomatoes, grilled tuna steak appetizer, grouper bites, grouper sandwich, and blackened chicken salad. All of the food except the salad was delicious. The salads were just okay as the chicken was not truly blackened, but just had blackened seasoning on it. There were 5 adults and a well-behaved 2 year old (who required no service) in my party. Our waitress (Alexis) added an automatic 20% tip to our bill. The service she provided was just okay, but she became more engaging and personable with us when she brought the check, and even paid a compliment about how cute the 2 year old was. She joked and said, “don’t worry about leaving a tip, just leave her.” Of course the tip had already been added when she brought the check. I’m accustomed to 15-18% being automatically added for parties of 6-8 or more. I asked her was that a 20% tip already added and she said “yes, but the restaurant across the street added 22%.” I’m generally a generous tipper and It bothered me a little because we were a party of 5 adults that received “just okay” service. Also, she delivered our food, but failed to bring us eating utensils. We didn’t see her for several minutes and finally stopped a guy that we saw headed to the kitchen and asked him for assistance. He was nice and quickly brought us eating utensils. If a restaurant automatically charges a tip for 5 people, they should state it prominently on the menu. And, they should make sure the service is...